Aerojet Rocketdyne Supports Launch of National Security Payload into Orbit for U.S. Government with World’s Most Powerful Hydrogen-Fueled Engines

Published 10:21 PM ET Sat, 11 June 2016
Globe Newswire

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 11, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a spectacular display of power, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc. (Aerojet Rocketdyne), a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AJRD), successfully supported the launch of a national security payload into orbit for the U.S. government today using three of the world’s most powerful hydrogen-fueled booster engines. The mission was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket. Aerojet Rocketdyne propulsion included three RS-68A booster engines, an RL10B-2 upper-stage engine, multiple attitude control thrusters and 26 helium pressurization tanks.

“As a military veteran, I can personally attest to the importance of national security satellites for our nation’s troops deployed at home and overseas,” said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen Drake. “It’s an honor and a privilege to know our company’s propulsion is playing such a critical role in their safety and improved operations. Congratulations to everyone for another successful launch.”

During launch, three RS-68A engines ignited to boost the Delta IV Heavy off the pad, each providing 702,000 pounds of lift-off thrust. The RS-68A is the world’s most powerful liquid-hydrogen/liquid-oxygen engine, and has now flown 32 commercial and government missions with 100 percent mission success.

After the upper stage separated from the launch vehicle, a single RL10B-2 ignited to provide 24,750 pounds of thrust to power the upper stage, using cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants during its operation. RL10B-2 is a liquid-fuel cryogenic rocket engine designed and developed from the RL10 family of upper-stage engines, which have accumulated one of the most impressive lists of accomplishments in the history of space propulsion. The RL10 has helped place numerous military, government and commercial satellites into orbit over the last 50 years, and has powered scientific space-probe missions to every planet in our solar system.

ARDÉ, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne based in New Jersey, provides the pressure vessels on the first and second stages of the launch vehicle.

Aerojet Rocketdyne is an innovative company delivering solutions that create value for its customers in the aerospace and defense markets. The company is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, tactical systems and armaments areas, in support of domestic and international markets. Additional information about Aerojet Rocketdyne can be obtained by visiting our websites at www.Rocket.com and www.AerojetRocketdyne.com.